Dicarinella imbricata (MORNOD 1949): First SEM documentation of the lost holotype and foraminiferal assemblage from the type horizon (Upper Cretaceous, Switzerland)

Abstract

The foraminifer species Dicarinella imbricata, from the Upper Cretaceous of Switzerland, was established in 1949 by L. Mornod. The holotype was figured only by Mornod's drawings and the specimen was never made available. As the holotype was missing since a long time, it was considered as lost and a neotype was established. However, the holotype was recently found. We present here the first scanning electron microscope (SEM) documentation of the holotype. These data are compared with the original drawings of the holotype, the neotype and a paratype. In addition, we report a rich and diverse Tethyan planktonic foraminiferal assemblage from the type horizon, whose composition indicates a late Turonian age.